Dhading, October 17:

Minister for Information and Communication Krishna Bahadur Mahara has called on countrymen to join hands to wipe out feudalism.

Addressing a programme in Charaudi today, Mahara said, “The followers of feudalism are accusing the CPN-Maoist of being autocratic. The feudals are in favour of status quo and against development.”

“Feudalism has not gone even after the abolition of monarchy after the decade-long people’s war and Jana Andolan II. Under the guidance of followers of feudalism, certain quarters are labelling progressive activities of the Maoists as autocratic ones,” he said.

The minister said the budget had tried to address problems of the poor, the needy and

the helpless. “The government will not do anything that is detrimental to the people.”

Change will do no good unless people benefit from it, he said, calling on the general public to press the parties to frame new constitution on time.

A total of 108 persons sacrificed their lives in Dhading during the decade-long conflict. The whereabouts of 26 disappeared people of the district are still unknown.

Pearls of wisdom

•Monarchy has gone, but feudalism has not

•Change will be meaningless unless people benefit from it

•The government will not do anything that is detrimental to the people

•Feudals are labelling progressive activities of the Maoists as autocratic